VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) — The mother of a 9-year-old boy charged with shooting a 10-year-old in the face in Valdosta in September was arrested again on Nov. 8, facing new child cruelty charges.

According to Valdosta Police Department and Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office records, Andrea McClendon was arrested at Brittany Woods Apartments, located at 1150 Old Statenville Rd., around 7:00 p.m. after officers responded to reports of battery.

The report lists a juvenile as the victim. It does not give the juvenile’s name, age or relationship to McClendon, and it does not describe what happened.

However, neighbors near the scene said McClendon pepper-sprayed her child.

McClendon is now charged with battery-family violence and cruelty to children in the first degree, according to the sheriff’s office booking report.

This comes just over two months after McClendon’s 9-year-old son was accused of shooting 10-year-old Javion English with a gun she owned at the same apartment complex.

Previous coverage: Valdosta 10-year-old shot in the face while playing with another child

Police chief comments

Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan said McClendon was cooperative and spoke with officers after the arrest.

“She was cooperative and did speak with our officers,” Manahan said.

Manahan said officers weigh the accounts they hear. “There’s always two sides to every story,” Manahan said. “And then you speak with witnesses around. And as law enforcement, you have to make the best decision based off the facts that you know.”

Asked about McClendon being charged twice in cases that involve children, Manahan said it is disappointing to see repeat offenders in cases that involve juveniles.

“Our state does have systems in place to protect the children,” Manahan said. “But there’s sometimes everybody’s hands get tied. And the law only allows you to do so much.”

Asked whether gaps in the law allow people to be released after crimes like these, Manahan said yes and pointed to jail space.

“There’s times where you do have overcrowded jails,” Manahan said. “We have people that get put out that are on ankle monitors.”

Manahan encouraged residents to report suspected child abuse.

“When you see something, say something,” Manahan said. “If we see a child that might be getting in a situation where we feel like they’re being abused more than corporal punishment would allow, then we need to stand up as a community when we see it and say something and get the authorities involved.”

Earlier charges in September shooting

The earlier case involved a shooting around 5 p.m. Sept. 7 at Brittany Woods Apartments.

According to the Valdosta Police Department, officers arrived and found Javion with an apparent injury to his face. Valdosta firefighters and South Georgia Medical Center EMS provided first aid before he was taken to the hospital.

Investigators reportedly spoke with a 9-year-old boy at the apartment. He told officers he and Javion were playing with a gun when it discharged, police said.

Javion’s mother, Marshania English, denied that her child was playing with the gun.

Previous coverage: Mother speaks out after son’s shooting

“[Javion] was like, ‘Mom, I told him to stop pointing the gun at me numerous of times, and he didn’t,’” she said.

Detectives obtained arrest warrants Sept. 9 for McClendon, the mother of the 9-year-old and the owner of the firearm, police said. She was charged with second-degree cruelty to children and reckless conduct. Police said she turned herself in at the Lowndes County Jail on Sept. 14.

Through the Department of Juvenile Justice, detectives also charged the 9-year-old with reckless conduct and possession of a firearm by a minor.

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